Obituaries from
Navarro County, Texas


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Ellen (Reeves) Moore-Smith
Sep 11, 1874 - Nov 7, 1956

Rites Held Thursday For Mrs. Ellen Smith, Long-time Resident

Last rites for Mrs. Ellen Smith, 82, were held from the Frost Baptist Church at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Mrs. Smith was a resident of the Slay and Frost communities for more than 50 years.

Mrs. Smith died at 6 a.m. Wednesday at the County Memorial Hospital following a week's illness. She was a native of Alabama and a member of the Baptist Church.

The Rev. C. C. Ellis, pastor, conducted the services assisted by the Rev. Earl Harper, local Methodist minister. Burial was in the Italy cemetery.

Mrs. Smith is survived by five sons, A. C. Smith and Leo Smith, Frost; John Smith, Dallas; Ruby Moore, Wichita Falls; and Joe Moore, Houston; three daughters, Mrs. F. M. Young, Mrs. Doyle Mitchell, and Mrs. L. C. Rudd, all of Frost; three sisters, Mrs. Lon Crow, Clinton, Okla.; Mrs. Bill Hall, California; and Mrs. W. A. Smith, Tahlequah, Okla.; 15 grandchildren, a number of great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild and other relatives.

Grandsons were pallbearers. The McCormick Funeral Service directed.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun
  • From the collection of Alva Lynn Smith
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • Italy Cemetery, Italy, Texas
  • 1st husband J. Moore 2nd husband Andrew Jackson Smith; d/o Tilman Hampton Reeve/Reeves & Martha Caroline (Montgomery) Reeves

Christopher Long "Chris" McDougald
Dec 14, 1961 - Nov 17, 1995

Chris McDougald

Chris McDougald, 33, of Batesville, Ark., died Nov. 17, 1995 in Batesville.

Services were held this morning at Westhill Church of Christ. Burial was in Kemp.

He was born Dec. 14, 1961 in Dallas. He was a lab technician at Eastman Chemical in Batesville, a graduate of Harding University and a member of North Height Church of Christ.

He is survived by his parents, Gene and Velma McDougald of Corsicana; two brothers, Gene McDougald of San Antonio and Andy McDougald of Silver Lakes, Calif.; and a maternal grandmother, Annie Smith of Ennis.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun
  • From the collection of Alva Lynn Smith
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • (Pallbearers were Brad Glass, Shaun Maxwell, Scott Bynum, Jay Taylor, Barney Gaines, Sonny Martin, Kyle Bolton, & Jeff Glass)
  • Buried Kemp, Texas
  • S/o Felix Eugene "Gene" McDougald & Velma Lee (Smith) McDougald

Roger Frank Seely
Dec 20, 1944 - Sep 9, 1988

Roger F. Seely

Roger F. Seely, 43, of Kingwood, died Sept. 9, 1988, near Giddings.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Seely was a native of Emhouse. He served in the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam era and was employed by American Airlines.

He is survived by his wife, Candice; a daughter, Erin, and a son, Mark Seely; his parents, Frank and Lola Seely of Emhouse; 3 brothers, Pat Seely of Arlington, Loran Seely of Corsicana and Howard Seely of Arlington, Loran Seely of Corsicana And Howard Seely of Blooming Grove; two sisters, Jennifer Estes Astolfi of Coppell and Karen Adams of Houston; 10 nephews and one niece; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Frank Seely, Sr., of Emhouse and maternal grandmother Mrs. L. D. Looney of Barry.

Notes:


Jewel Hodges
Feb 21, 1921 - May 10, 1993

Mrs. Jewel Hodges of Midland died May 10, 1993, in Houston.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel in Midland. Dr. John S. Rasco, retired pastor of the First Baptist Church in Odessa, will officiate. Burial will be 4 p.m. Wednesday in Elmwood Cemetery in Abilene.

She was born in Corsicana where she was reared and attended school. She attended North Texas State University and Baylor University where she graduated with a degree in music and public education. She taught in Corsicana, Ozuna and Odessa. She married Joe Hodges in 1950. They lived in Odessa until 1966 when they moved to Houston. In 1968 they moved to Abilene. The Hodges moved to Midland in 1986 and have resided there since then.

She was preceded in death by a son, Brad, in 1953, and a daughter, Julie, in 1982.

Survivors include her husband, Joe H. Hodges of Midland; one son, Joe Hodges Jr. of Abilene; and two brothers, J.B. Swink of Athens, Texas, and Vernon Taylor of Arlington.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Tuesday, May 11, 1993
  • Submitted by Karen Rost Elmwood Cemetery, Abilene, Texas
  • Note: Her death certificate shows her death as May 9, 1993

Van Poe Morrison Jr.
Apr 27, 1923 - May 10, 1993

Van Poe Morrison Jr., 70, of Hughes Springs, died May 10, 1993, at his home.

Services will be 3 p.m. Thursday at the First Methodist Church in Granbury. Burial will be in the Granbury Cemetery under the direction of Martin Funeral HOme in Granbury.

He was the son of the late Rev. Van P. Morrison Sr. who was a Methodist preacher in Navarro County for about 12 years. He was a retired teacher who had lived in Navarro County for many years. He was a graduate of Blooming Grove High school and received his bachelor of science and his master's degree early in life.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eva and Van Morrison, his wife, Bonita Morrison, and one brother, Pat Morrison.

Survivors include one daughter, Nelda Morrison of Utah; two sons, Ronnie Morrison of Hughes Springs and Ricky Morrison of Dallas; one sister, Mrs. Walter McDaniel of Richland; and two grandchildren.

Notes:


Shafter Henley
Aug 29, 1905 - May 12, 1993

Shafter Henley, 87, of Richland, died May 12, 1993, at Navarro Regional Hospital.

Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the Rockhill Baptist Church in Richland, with the Rev. Charles Kelley officiating. Burial will be in the Wortham Cemetery under the direction of Ross and Johnson Mortuary.

Survivors include his wife, Jessie Lee Henley of Richland; four daughters, Katherine Bonner of Corsicana, Nancy Dellums and Jane Barree, both of Dallas, and Judy Kelley of Richland; five sons, Robert Smith and R.L. Henley, both of Dallas, Iree Smith and Allen D. Henley, both of Richland, and Lawrence Smith of Colorado City, Texas; a host of grandchildren; his step-mother, Beatrice Henley of Mexia; and one brother, Brady Henley of Mule Shoe, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Allen Henley, Allen Henley Jr., Dewayne Wadley, Lelan Adams, Velman Knotts, Byron Dellums.

Honorary pallbearers will be James Earl Bonner and Jessie Daingerfield.

Notes:


Miss Louella Lassiter
Feb 2, 1907 - May 15, 1993

Miss Louella Lassiter, 86, of Corsicana, died May 15, 1993, in Corsicana.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at Corley Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Scott officiating. Burial was in Brushy Creek Cemetery.

She was born Feb. 1, 1907 in Brushy Creek.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Mamie Lee Pellham; and two brothers, Jesse Lassiter and William C. "Sam" Lassiter.

Survivors include three brothers, George Bryce Lassiter and Tom ALassiter, both of Corsicana, and Delbert Lassiter of Victoria; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Jesse Howard Lassiter, Bill Lassiter, Sammy Lassiter, Buddy Lassiter, Berry Robinson and Malvin Keathley.

Notes:


Raymond R. Wiseman
July 4, 1921 - May 16, 1993

Raymond. R. Wiseman, 71, of Corsicana, died May 16, 1993 in Corsicana.

Funeral services are pending with Memphis Funeral Home in Memphis, Tenn. Local arrangements are with Corley Funeral Home.

He was born July 4, 1921 in Memphis, Tenn. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy.

Survivors include three sons, Robert Wiseman of Georgetown, Texas, Roy Wiseman of Corsicana and Raymond Wiseman of Freemont, Calif.; six sisters, Lillian Stanek of Memphis, Tenn., Helen Lindsey of Tucson, Ariz., Alberta Gibson of Lubbock, Leona Lloyd of Canton, Texas, Virginia Robertson of Memphis and Ester Rosser of Corona, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Monday, May 17, 1993
  • Submitted by Karen Rost
  • Burial: Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Bartlett, Shelby Co., Tennessee
  • h/o Liddieann Wiseman

Bobby J. Brown
Nov 17, 1957 - May 14, 1993

Bobby J. Brown, 35, of Houston, died May 14, 1993 in Houston.

Graveside services were 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Old Union Cemetery in Groesbeck with Dr. David Hale officiating. The Crystal-Rye Funeral Home in Houston is in charge of arrangements.

He was born Nov. 17 1957 in Corsicana.

Survivors include his father and step-mother, Gene and Edna Brown of Houston; his mother and step-father, Ann and Bob Kenyon of Orange; one brother, Ricky Brown of Corsicana; one sister, Jean Ann Iskles of Bridge City; his grandmother, Lois Brown of Corsicana; three nephews and one niece; and several aunts and uncles.

Pallbearers were Wallace R. Watson, Wallace E. Watson, Eddie Watson, John Brown and several other friends.

Notes:


Billy Ray Waller
Sept 9, 1930 - Dec 14, 2012

Mr. Billy Ray Waller, age 82, of Corsicana passed away Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 at Navarro Regional Hospital in Corsicana. He was born Sept. 9, 1930 in Corsicana to parents, Bertha and Vernon Waller.

He was a member of Westside Baptist Church. He loved to watch, and was an avid supporter of his grandkids playing sports. He had a great love to be outdoors, and to go and help his son on his pasture land when he was able. He was employed with Lone Star Gas Company, and retired from there after 37 years of service. He was a veteran, having served his country in the United States Army.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Bertha Waller; brothers, Willie Joe, Thomas, Vernon, and Alvin Franklin Waller; sisters, Louise Freeman, Doris Langston, and Marie Middleton.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Josephine Waller; son, Darrell Waller and wife Julie of Mildred; grandson, Clay Waller of Mildred; granddaughters, Callie Waller of Mildred and Haley Waller of Waxahachie; brothers, Earnest Earl Waller and wife Mimpy of Andrews, Charles Kenneth Waller and wife Rosa Lee of Euless, and Arthur Neal Waller of Waco; sister, Gladys Bell Basham and husband G.H. of Corsicana, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation with the family will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec.
16, 2012 at Corley Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 at the Corley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Larry Talbert and Rev. Clayton Smith officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Providence Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Clay Waller, James Joles, Lynn Easley, Jackie Martin, Ricky Jones, James Creasy, and James Trull.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Navarro County Food Pantry,
122 W. 1st Avenue, Corsicana, Texas 75110 or to the Westside Baptist Church Youth Group, 1522 N. 24th Street, Corsicana, Texas 75110.

Notes:


Nathan Oliver
abt 1938 - Dec 6, 2012

Nathan Oliver Sr., 74, passed away Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 at his residence. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 at Harmony Baptist Church. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, also at Harmony Baptist Church with Bishop John Baker officiating. Interment will follow at Hamilton Beeman Cemetery.
M.R. Smith Parlor for Funerals is handling arrangements.

Notes:


Carraway Mayfield
abt 1933 - Dec 9, 2012

Carraway Mayfield, 79, of Corsicana passed away Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012 at his residence. Funeral services are 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 at Ross and Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Arnold Carter officiating.
Interment will follow at Woodland Memorial Park. Arrangements by Ross and Johnson Mortuary, Corsicana.

Notes:


Bobbie Jewel (Ford) Allen-Putman
Feb 5, 1925 - Feb 27, 1993

Bobbie Putman, 68, of Navarro Mills, died Feb. 27, 1993, at Navarro Mills.

Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at the Navarro Mills Baptist Church, with the Rev. Randy Pell officiating. Burial will be in the Younger Cemetery in Silver City. Corley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She was born Feb. 5, 1925, in Navarro County and was a member of the Dawson First United Methodist Church and the Dawson Eastern Star Chapter No. 1046.

She was preceded in death by her father, Carey Ford.

Survivors include her mother, Mary Ford Slaughter of Corsicana; one daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Dwight Duncan of Corsicana; two sons and daughter-in-law, Clark and Jeanie Putman Jr. of Waco, and Eddie and Connie Putman of Navarro Mills; six grandchildren; two sisters, Valero Garner of Blooming Grove, and Pattie McCarter of Navarro Mills; one sister-in-law, Louise Ford of Corsicana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be A.W. Drain, Alan Thedford, Bennie Robinson, C.E. Thomas, Bob Gordon and Chris McConnico.

Nephews and great-nephews will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to the Navarro Mills Baptist Church Youth Fund.

Notes:


Era (Dill) French
Aug 20, 1909 - Mar 3, 1993

Era French, 89, of Purdon, died March 2, 1993 in Corsicana.

Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in the First Baptist Church of Purdon with the Rev. Doyle Purifoy officiating. Burial will be in the Younger Cemetery in Silver City under the direction of Corley Funeral Home.

She was born Aug. 29, 1903 in Purdon and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Purdon.

Survivors include her husband, Autry French of Purdon; one daughter, Annette Compton of Kilgore; one son, Gary French of Kilgore; three grandsons, Michael, Mark and Matthew Compton, all of Kilgore; two great-grandchildren, Kristi and Trevor Compton, both of Kilgore; one sister, Louise Stubbs of Corsicana; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Michael Compton, Mark Compton, Matthew Compton, Dave Sawyer, Micky Stubbs and Ray Goodman.

Notes:


Margaret Mae "Maggie" (Forshaw) Shirley-Munroe
July 3, 1897 - May 14, 1993

Margaret Munroe, 95, of Dawson, died May 14, 1993 in the Oakview Nursing Home in Hubbard.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Wade Funeral Chapel in Hubbard with the Rev. Randy Pell officiating. Burial will be in the Younger Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday in the Wade Funeral Home in Hubbard.

She was born July 3, 1897 in McKeesport, Penn. She has been a resident of Dawson since 1955. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Dawson.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Archie Shirley in 1924 and by her second husband, W.N. Munroe in 1955.

Survivors include two sons, Glenn Shirley of Dawson and Loyd Shirley of Tucson, Ariz.; one sister, Dora Lewis of Corsicana; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Notes:


Trace Landon Christian
Died Apr 22, 1993

Trace Landon Christian, infant, of Blooming Grove, died April 22, 1993, at Navarro Regional Hospital.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in Dresden Cemetery with Danny Richardson officiating under the direction of Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Survivors include his parents, Tim and Tammie Christian of Blooming Grove; maternal grandparents, Don and Bobbie Stewart of Streetman; paternal grandparents, Emma Christian of Corsicana and Tommy Christian of Chatfield; maternal great-grandmothers, Carmie Miller of Wortham and Mary Lou Stewart of Wortham; paternal great-grandparents, R.T. and Irma Lee Christian of Blooming Grove; and one sister, Katelyn O'Rear of Blooming Grove.

Notes:


Marion L. "Don" Cunningham
Apr 1, 1920 - May 4, 1993

M. L. "Don" Cunningham, 73, of Dresden, died May 4, 1993, at his residence.

Services will be 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove. Burial will be in Dresden Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa Cunningham of Dresden; one son, Keith Cunningham of Dresden; one daughter, Karen Kimball of Amarillo; one brother, Selwyn Cunningham of Oklahoma City; and four grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Buddy Ross, Ragan Grounds, Joe Haden, David Haden, James Page and Clark Putman. Honorary pallbearers are A.J. Widner, W.A.
Haden, C.N. Haden and Tuck Furra.

Notes:


Jessie Holliefield
Jun 28, 1894 - May 11, 1993

Jessie Holliefield, 98, of Blooming Grove, died May 11, 1993, at Navarro Regional Hospital.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove, with William Dollar officiating. Burial will be in Dresden Cemetery.

Survivors include three sons, Buford Holliefield of Blooming Grove, Curtis Holliefield, Joe Holliefield of Navarro Mills; two daughters, Katie Bell Nutt of Waco and Azelene Cardenes of Austin; two sisters, Tillie Ward of Blooming Grove, and Tennie Thrasher of Waco; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Steve Holliefield, Scott Holliefield, Don McGraw, Douglas Holliefield, James Jones and Danny Jones.

Notes:


Emma Irene (Collier) Sherman
Apr 11, 1904 - Oct 23, 1989

Emma Sherman

Emma Irene Sherman, 85, of Corsicana, died Oct. 23, 1989 at Navarro Regional Hospital.

Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Central Baptist Church with Barry Fikes officiating. Burial will follow in Lone Oak Cemetery. Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She was born Nov. 4, 1904 in Blooming Grove. She was a member of Central Baptist Church in Blooming Grove.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charlie Sherman.

Survivors include one brother, Tommie Collier of Corsicana; four sisters, Georgia Duncan of Canton, Clara McGraw and Mary Kagler, both of Blooming Grove, and Geneva Bonner of Emhouse.

Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Notes:


Steven Lee Smith
Apr 18, 1968 - Nov 10, 1990

Steve Smith

Steve Smith, 22, of Navarro Mills, died Nov. 10, 1990, at Parkland Hospital.

Services were at 4 p.m. Monday at the Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home with the Rev. O. E. Perminter officiating. Burial was in the Dresden cemetery.

Survivors include his parents, Bobby and Pat Smith of Navarro Mills; one sister, Chryle Ann Smith of Navarro Mills; and grandmother Tildy Miller of Navarro Mills.

Pallbearers were Robbie Warren, Jimmy Currey, Kenny Smith, Ricky Smith, Clay Reamy and Brian Reamy. Honorary pallbearers were Brian Worley and Stacy Reamy.

Notes:


Gladys Virginia (Collier) Mahone
Mar 7, 1916 - Nov 8, 1988

Gladys Collie Mahone

Gladys Collier Mahone, 72, of Blooming Grove, died Nov. 8, 1988, in Dallas.

Services are pending with Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove. Burial will be in Rosehill cemetery.

She is survived by two sons, Eddie Charles Mahone, of Duncanville, and Danny Mahone, of Blooming Grove; three daughters, Sandra Huff, of Grapevine, Linda Lippe and Sherry Mahone, both of Waxahachie; brother, Tom Collier, of Emhouse; five sisters, Geneva Bonner of Emhouse, Mary Kagler & Clara McGraw, both of Blooming Grove, Emma Sherman, of Corsicana and Georgie Duncan of Canton; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Notes:


Thomas Irvin “Jack” Darby
Aug 30, 1891 - Jan 11, 1964

Jack Darby, 72, Dies Saturday

KERENS, Jan. 11—(Spl.)—Thomas Irvin (Jack) Darby, 72, long-time resident, died Saturday morning in a Tyler hospital following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held from the Kerens Church of Christ church Sunday at 2:30 p.m. with burial in the Kerens cemetery.

The rites will be conducted by Bob Keene, Church of Christ minister, and Rev. Don Walker, pastor of the First Baptist church.

Native of Troup, Darby had resided here since 1907.

Surviving are his wife of Kerens; five daughters, Mrs. Loyd Rea, Mrs. J. H. Cartlidge and Mrs. Doyle Allen, all of Kerens; Mrs. W. W. Patterson, Del Rio and Miss Bobbie Jo Darby; Austin; two sons, Jack C. Darby, Lubbock, and Thomas Darby, Corsicana; 20 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and other relatives.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Saturday, Jan 11, 1964
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • Kerens Cemetery
  • h/o Queena Bess “Bessie” (Scates) Darby; s/o John Darby & Montie (Bell) Darby (Montie is buried at Rice Cemetery, Rice, Texas

George Lawrence DeMoss
Apr 3, 1877 - Mar 17, 1974

G. L. DeMoss
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Corley Funeral Home Chapel for G. L. DeMoss, 96, of Corsicana, who died Sunday at Memorial Hospital.

Rev. Luther Crawford will officiate, and burial will be at Kerens Cemetery.

He was a native of Groesbeck and had lived in Corsicana for 30 years. He was a retired farmer, member of the Baptist Church and member of the Kerens Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include two sons, J. T. DeMoss of Corsicana and Joe H. DeMoss of Dallas; three daughters, Mrs. F. D. Babcock of Dallas, Mrs. Edith Ellis of Arlington, and Mrs. H. L. Holland of Indio, Calif.; 25 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. Grandsons will be pallbearers.

Notes:


Effie Mae (York) Smith
Feb 14, 1914 - Oct 21, 1998

Effie Mae Smith

Effie Mae Smith, 84, of Frost, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998, at Corsicana Nursing Home.

Services are 2 p.m. Friday at Frost Baptist Church, with Rev. Jim Baggett and Rev. Joe Dowdy officiating. Interment will follow at Frost cemetery.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Corsicana and 6-8 p.m Thursday at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove.

Pallbearers are Tim Brown, Chris Brown, Michael Smith, Loran Seely, Andrew Seely and Phillip Seely. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Parum, Andrew McDougald, Carl W. Johnson, Johnny C. Johnson and Shane Brown.

Mrs. Smith was born in Frost on Feb. 14, 1914 to Willie Eunice and John Sims York. She married Alva Clyde Smith on July 2, 1932. She was a life-long resident of Frost and a member of the Frost Baptist Church.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters, and four brothers.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Jerry Brown of Fort Smith, Ark.; son and daughter-in-law, Alva Lynn and Jane Smith of Blooming Grove; sisters, Dorothy Tucker of Corsicana and June White of Dallas; brother, Alton York of Dallas; granddaughters, Donna Seely of Corsicana and Keitha McDougald of Frankfurt, Germany; grandsons Tim Brown of Bellville, Chris Brown of Fort Smith, Ark; and Michael Smith of Kerrville; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Notes:


Mary Belle (York) Johnson
May 20, 1912 - Oct 6, 1997

Mary Belle (York) Johnson

Mary Belle (York) Johnson, 85, of Lancaster, died Oct. 6 at Columbia Hospital in Lancaster.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.

Graveside services will be held today at 2 p.m. at the Frost cemetery.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Donald Johnson, Carl Wayne and Carolyn Johnson of Duncanville, and Johnny Charles and Loretta Johnson of Duncanville; daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Howard Leonard of Hillsboro; brother, Alton York of Dallas; sisters, Dorothy Tucker of Corsicana, Effie Smith of Frost, and Wanda White of Dallas; and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Notes:


James Wesley Brown, Sr.
Jun 12, 1913 - Sep 10, 1990

James Brown

James Wesley Brown, 77, of Frost, died Sept. 10, 1990, at Hill County Hospital in Hillsboro.

Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Frost Methodist Church with the Rev. Margaret Decker and Gary Carroll officiating. Burial will be in Frost cemetery.

Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife Jesse Dee Brown of Frost; two sons, Jerry D. Brown of Fort Smith, Ark., and Jack L. Brown of Dallas; daughter Janice Brown of Dallas; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Velma Hawkins of Hillsboro, Vern Pritchard of Sugarland and Vesta A. Young of Fort Worth.

Notes:


Thomas Edward "Red" Carroll
Feb 3, 1895 - Oct 3, 1954

Highway 75 Crash Kills Five Sunday
By Paul Moore, Daily Sun Staff

One of the worst highway accidents in recent years in Navarro County snuffed out five lives early Sunday morning when two automobiles collided headon on Highway 75 five miles south of Corsicana and north of Angus.

The dead:
Thomas Edward Carroll, 59, 215 West Fourth avenue.
George W. Melton, 61, 1798 West Thirteenth avenue.
Ruth Wadley, 35, negress, Dallas.
Charley Mae Wadley, negress, 10 months old, Dallas.
Myrtle Carter Fite, 38, negress, Dallas.
Critically injured is Doris Hammond, 21, Dallas, negress, who is in Memorial Hospital suffering a fractured pelvis, broken right leg, internal injuries and shock.

Ten Traffic Deaths.
C. E. Blankenship, highway Patrolman, investigated the crash that brought to 10 the total traffic fatalities in Navarro county for 1954. He said the white men were traveling north and the women were proceeding in a southerly direction. Investigations indicate the northbound car was on the wrong side of the slab, the patrolman said, and that tire skid marks were seen 80 feet from the point of impact of the southbound car.

Husbands of the women involved were ahead of the in a pick-up truck and they were en route to a farm they own near Richland, associates said.

Melton was driving his car and Myrtle Carter Fite was driving the other. Both cars were demolished.

All local ambulances answered the call—McCammon, Corley and Griffin.

Send Bodies to Mexia
The bodies of the three negroes were taken to the Ross Funeral Home and later in the day were transferred to a negro funeral home in Mexia.

The two men, and the baby were instantly killed. Ruth Wadley was pronounced dead on arrival at the Corsicana Hospital and Clinic while Myrtle Carter Fite died in Memorial Hospital Sunday at 2:15 a.m.

Funeral services for the two men were held Monday at 2 p.m.

The rites for Melton were held from the McCammon Chapel with burial in the Hamilton cemetery. The rites were conducted by Rev. Kirby McGuire, Baptist minister of Tyler, formerly of Corsicana.

Truck Operator
Melton, a truck operator, was a native of Woodbury, Tenn.

Surviving are three daughters, Beverly Melton, Mexia; Madelynn and Georgia Gay Melton, both of Tyler; two sons, Billy Melton, Waco, and George Franklin Melton, Houston; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Tommy Melton, Milton, Tenn., and Floyd Melton, Salina, Kan.; four sisters, Mrs. Media King, Woodbury, Tenn.; Mrs. Susie Odom and Mrs. Bessie Woods, both of Corsicana, and Mrs. Margaret Barnes, Dallas.

Pallbearers were Henry Nichols, Eugene Woods, Clyde Vandygriff, Lehman Vandygriff, Haskell Vandygriff and Johnny Vandygriff.

Rites for Carroll
Services for Carroll were held from the Corley Chapel. Burial was in the Dresden cemetery.

The rites were conducted by Rev. Bob Cheek, pastor of the North Side Baptist church, and Rev. Guy Phillips, Pentecostal minister.

Surviving are his wife of Corsicana; four sons, James H., Gerald and Franklin Carroll, all of Corsicana, and Joe Carroll, Houston; a daughter, Mrs. Peggy Woods, Corsicana; three brothers, H. H. Carroll, Mexia; Leon and Bill Carroll, both of Kilgore; two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Griffin, Malakoff, and Mrs. Cordell Freeman, Fort Worth; and three grandchildren.

He served in the 36th Division infantry in World War 1.

Pallbearers were Frank B. Taylor, W. E. Carroll, Wendell F. Warren, Hollis Pitts and Bill Howard.

Notes:


Michael Lewis Dillon
Aug 16, 1981 - Feb 12, 1992

Michael Dillon

Michael Lewis Dillon, 10, of Corsicana, died Feb. 12, 1992, at Navarro Regional Hospital.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Corley Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Tony Neal officiating. Burial will be in the Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery in Retreat.

He was born Aug. 18, 1981, in Corsicana, and had lived in Corsicana 10 years. He was a student.

Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Dillon of Corsicana; one sister Shakara Dillon of Corsicana; one brother, Marcus Dillon of Corsicana; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Dillon; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Bamburg of Corsicana; great-grandmother, Alline Bamburg of Corsicana and Mildred Smith of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; and great-grandfather, Rube Price of Irving.

Pallbearers will be Steve Dillon, Rickey Grimm, Eric Johnson, Paul Krauter, Travis Hunter, Danny Smith, Reuben Lehmberg and Tony Jones.

Notes:


Letress Lee (Donaho) Long
Mar 16, 1909 - Feb 14, 1992

Mrs. Letress L. Long

Mrs. Letress L. Long, 82, of Dawson, died Feb. 14, 1992, at Parkview Hospital in Mexia.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery Cemetery, with the Rev. Davis Montya officiating. Corley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She was born, March 16, 1909, in Angus, and had lived in Dawson for one year. She was a member of the Dawson Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Watson Long, Sr.

Survivors include two sons, Bill W. Long of Dawson and Charlie Ray Long of Wichita Falls; one sister, Bonnie Brannon of Aztec, N. M.; 10 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Notes:


George Washington Melton
Sep 29, 1893 - Oct 3, 1954

Highway 75 Crash Kills Five Sunday
By Paul Moore, Daily Sun Staff

One of the worst highway accidents in recent years in Navarro County snuffed out five lives early Sunday morning when two automobiles collided headon on Highway 75 five miles south of Corsicana and north of Angus.

The dead:
Thomas Edward Carroll, 59, 215 West Fourth avenue.
George W. Melton, 61, 1798 West Thirteenth avenue.
Ruth Wadley, 35, negress, Dallas.
Charley Mae Wadley, negress, 10 months old, Dallas.
Myrtle Carter Fite, 38, negress, Dallas.
Critically injured is Doris Hammond, 21, Dallas, negress, who is in Memorial Hospital suffering a fractured pelvis, broken right leg, internal injuries and shock.

Ten Traffic Deaths.
C. E. Blankenship, highway Patrolman, investigated the crash that brought to 10 the total traffic fatalities in Navarro county for 1954. He said the white men were traveling north and the women were proceeding in a southerly direction. Investigations indicate the northbound car was on the wrong side of the slab, the patrolman said, and that tire skid marks were seen 80 feet from the point of impact of the southbound car.

Husbands of the women involved were ahead of the in a pick-up truck and they were en route to a farm they own near Richland, associates said.

Melton was driving his car and Myrtle Carter Fite was driving the other. Both cars were demolished.

All local ambulances answered the call—McCammon, Corley and Griffin.

Send Bodies to Mexia
The bodies of the three negroes were taken to the Ross Funeral Home and later in the day were transferred to a negro funeral home in Mexia.

The two men, and the baby were instantly killed. Ruth Wadley was pronounced dead on arrival at the Corsicana Hospital and Clinic while Myrtle Carter Fite died in Memorial Hospital Sunday at 2:15 a.m.

Funeral services for the two men were held Monday at 2 p.m.

The rites for Melton were held from the McCammon Chapel with burial in the Hamilton Cemetery. The rites were conducted by Rev. Kirby McGuire, Baptist minister of Tyler, formerly of Corsicana.

Truck Operator
Melton, a truck operator, was a native of Woodbury, Tenn.

Surviving are three daughters, Beverly Melton, Mexia; Madelynn and Georgia Gay Melton, both of Tyler; two sons, Billy Melton, Waco, and George Franklin Melton, Houston; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Tommy Melton, Milton, Tenn., and Floyd Melton, Salina, Kan.; four sisters, Mrs. Media King, Woodbury, Tenn.; Mrs. Susie Odom and Mrs. Bessie Woods, both of Corsicana, and Mrs. Margaret Barnes, Dallas.

Pallbearers were Henry Nichols, Eugene Woods, Clyde Vandygriff, Lehman Vandygriff, Haskell Vandygriff and Johnny Vandygriff.

Rites for Carroll
Services for Carroll were held from the Corley Chapel. Burial was in the Dresden cemetery.

The rites were conducted by Rev. Bob Cheek, pastor of the North Side Baptist church, and Rev. Guy Phillips, Pentecostal minister.

Surviving are his wife of Corsicana; four sons, James H., Gerald and Franklin Carroll, all of Corsicana, and Joe Carroll, Houston; a daughter, Mrs. Peggy Woods, Corsicana; three brothers, H. H. Carroll, Mexia; Leon and Bill Carroll, both of Kilgore; two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Griffin, Malakoff, and Mrs. Cordell Freeman, Fort Worth; and three grandchildren.

He served in the 36th Division infantry in World War I.

Pallbearers were Frank B. Taylor, W. E. Carroll, Wendell F. Warren, Hollis Pitts and Bill Howard.

The Corsicana Daily Sun - Monday, October 4, 1954

Notes:

  • h/o Ora (Cook) Melton and Eula Gay (Shaw) Melton s/o John A. Melton and Elizabeth (Mottey) Melton
  • Submitted by Diane Richards

Amzi Meek Matthews
Jan 9, 1877 - Apr 16, 1947

A. M. Matthews Rites Thursday Afternoon

Funeral services for A. M. Matthews, aged 70 years, who died at his residence, 819 West Thirteenth avenue, early Wednesday following an extended illness, were held from the Missionary Baptist church Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Burial was in the Hamilton Cemetery. The rites were conducted by Rev. A. J. Kirkland, pastor of the church, and Rev. W. B. Carraway.

Surviving are his wife of Corsicana; a son, M. L. Matthews, Wichita Falls; a brother, P. L. Matthews, Corsicana; four sisters, Mrs. D. L. Maddox, Mexia; Mrs. G. W. Riley and Miss Ida Matthews, both of Dallas, and Mrs. J. A. Floyd, Corsicana, and a number of nephews and nieces.

Pallbearers were Thelbert Percival, Earl McGraw, F. L. Leathers, H. M. Barnes, S. H. Barnes and Robert Whitehead.

Corley Funeral Home directed.

Notes:


Sara Ann (Hicks) Hartley
Jun 09, 1876 - Aug 23, 1950

Mrs. J. C. Hartley Dies Wednesday Morning At Rice

Mrs. J. C. Hartley, 74, native of Dandridge, Tenn., died at her home in Rice early Wednesday morning.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. from the Rice Methodist church, with burial in the Rice cemetery. The rites will be conducted by Rev. Marvin C. Bledsoe, pastor of the Central Methodist church here, formerly of Rice, assisted by Rev. Robert E. Ray.

Mrs. Hartley was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hicks.

Surviving are 10 children, Mrs. A. M. Wright, Ennis; Mrs. M. E. Roberts, Rice; Mrs. Joe Smith, Clayton, N. M.; Mrs. Elmer Perry, Rice; Mrs. V. B. Atchley, Rice; Mrs. C. C. Breeding, Kerens; L. D. Hartley, Rice; B. H. Hartley, Dandridge, Tenn.; Leroy and Charlie Hartley, both of Rice; 21 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and other relatives.

Grandsons will be pallbearers.

McCammon Funeral Home will direct.

Notes:

--

Mrs. J. C. Hartley Funeral Services Held Thursday

Funeral services for Mrs. J. C. Hartley, 74, who died Wednesday morning at her home in Rice, were held Thursday at 3 p.m. from the Rice Methodist church. Burial was in the Rice cemetery.

The rites were conducted by Rev. Marvin C. Bledsoe, pastor of Central Methodist church here, formerly of Rice, assisted by Rev. Robert E. Ray.

Surviving are 10 children, Mrs. A. M. Wright, Ennis; Mrs. M. E. Roberts, Mrs. Elmer Perry, Mrs. V. B. Atchley, L. D., Leroy and Charlie Hartley, all of Rice; Mrs. Joe Smith, Clayton, N. M.; Mrs. C. C. Breeding, Kerens; B. H. Hartley, Dandridge, Tenn.; 21 grand children, eight great-grandchildren, and other relatives.

Pallbearers were J. C. O’Neal, Luther Murff, W. C. Mahaley, J. K. Bradley, J. T. Allen and Ira Cardwell.

McCammon Funeral Home directed.

Notes:


James Cicero Hartley
Jul 13, 1863 - Oct 14, 1945

JAMES C. HARTLEY DIED SUNDAY AT RICE; FUNERAL ON MONDAY

James C. Hartley, aged 82 years, died at his home in Rice Sunday afternoon.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist church in Rice Monday afternoon at 4 o’clock with interment in the Rice Cemetery. The rites were conducted by Rev. Marvin O. Bledsoe, pastor of the church.

Surviving are his wife of Rice; four brothers, B. H. Hartley, McKinney; L. D., C. C. and L. R. Hartley, all of Rice; six daughters, Mrs. W. R. Wright and Mrs. W.R. Roberts, both of Ennis; Mrs. Joe A. Smith, Waco; Mrs. Elmer Perry and Mrs. V. B. Atchley, both of Rice, and Mrs. C. C. Breeding, Kerens; a sister, Mrs. Charles Templeton, Edna, Okla., and a number of grandchildren and other relatives.

Corley Funeral Home directed arrangements.

Notes:


John Seldon “Uncle Johnny” Carroll
Dec 30, 1874 - Apr 15, 1952

Wednesday Rites For J. S. Carroll

KERENS, April 15.—(Spl.)—J. S. (Uncle Johnny), 77, died early Tuesday morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. Jewell Cook, northeast of Kerens, after an extended illness.

He was a farmer and a native of Kerens community. Survivor include a brother, Luther Carroll of Kerens; two sisters, Mrs. Cook and Mrs. Myrtle Simmons of Baird, Texas, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held from the Inmon Funeral Home By the Rev. Nelson Hair, Bazette Baptist minister.

Interment will be in Oak Grove cemetery, near Kerens.

Notes:


Naz Simmons White, Jr.
Jan 17, 1929 - Sep 12, 1963

N. S. White Of Kerens Dies, Rites Saturday

KERENS, Sep. 13 (Spl.)—N. S. White, 34, owner of the White Service Station, resident of this area most of his life, died in Memorial Hospital Thursday afternoon following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held from the first Baptist church of which he was a member, Saturday at 2 p.m. with burial in the Oak Grove cemetery. The rites will be conducted by Rev. Don Walker, pastor of the First Baptist Church.

Relief Lodge No. 236, Masons, will provide pallbearers and conduct graveside rites. White was a past master of this lodge.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Cora Lee White, and a son, Joe Dan White, both of Kerens; three sisters, Mrs. Lee Knight, Beaumont; Mrs. Allen Paul and Mrs. Loyd Kent both of Kerens, and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Inmon Funeral Home directs.

Notes:


Naz Simmons White, Sr.
May 1, 1896 - Feb 16, 1936

Constable W. B. Grantham attended the funeral of a cousin, Naz White, at Oak Grove cemetery near Kerens Wednesday afternoon.

The Corsicana Daily Sun – Thursday, February 20, 1936
Submitted by Diane Richards

Card of Thanks.
We wish to thank our many good friends and relatives for the kindness to us during the illness and death of our husband, father and brother, Naz S. White. We also give thanks for the abundance of beautiful flowers. May God Bless each and every one of you.—Mrs. Naz White, and Children and Jehu B. White.

Notes:


Hettye Willow (McGee) White
Sep 22, 1897 - Nov 16, 1946

MRS. N. S. WHITE FUNERAL PLANNED SUNDAY AT KERENS

KERENS, Nov. 16.—(Spl.)—Funeral services for Mrs. N. S. White, 49, who died Saturday morning following an extended illness, will be held from the Kerens Baptist church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock with Dr. Elmer Page conducting the rites.

Mrs. White, who was Hettye McGee before her marriage, was born at Corbet, Sept. 22, 1897, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. P. McGee. She was married to the late N. S. White, June 5, 1917, and resided in the Powell community until a few years ago when she moved to Kerens. Mrs. White was an active member of the Baptist church, serving as teacher and working regularly in the WMU. Her husband preceded her in death in 1936.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Allen Paul and Mrs. Lloyd Kent, both of Kerens, and Mrs. Lee Knight, Kansas City, Mo.; a son, N. S. White, Jr., Kerens; two sisters, Mrs. L. I. Greer, Corsicana, and Mrs. L. M. Owen, Tyler; two grandchildren, Wanda and Glenda Paul, both of Kerens, and other relatives.

Interment will be in the Oak Grove cemetery.

Stockton Funeral Home is directing.

Notes:


Lou Ella (Horn) Crowley
Nov 27, 1875 - May 11, 1937

Kerens Woman Was Buried Oak Grove Cemetery Wednesday

KERENS, May 17.—(Spl.)—Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Crowley, aged 61, who died Tuesday were held Wednesday afternoon at the Oak Grove church, with Rev. M. O. Cheek, pastor of the Kerens Baptist church, officiating, Mrs. Crowley had been a member of the Oak Grove church for 45 years.

She is survived by her husband, W. L. Crowley, four children, Hester Crowley of Oklahoma City; Elvie, Lonnie and Beatrice Crowley of Kerens; five grandchildren, three sisters, six brothers and her father, W. F. Horn.

Interment was at Oak Grove cemetery, with funeral arrangements under the direction of P. N. Stockton.

Pallbearers were Hal Johnson, Jap Inmon, Jack Reed, Luther Westbrook, Ernest Gray, Herbert Msown, and Arlon Simmons.

Notes:


Wyatt Larin Crowley
Mar 28, 1871 - May 18, 1946

FUNERAL RITES HELD RECENTLY FOR W. L. CROWLEY OF KERENS

KERENS, May 25 (Spl.)—Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Stockton's funeral home for W. L. Crowley, age 75, who died suddenly Saturday night at the home of Dr. J. C. Blair. The rites were conducted by Rev. Maggart Howell, assisted by Dr. Elmer Page and interment was in the Kerens cemetery.

Wyatt Larin Crowley was born on March 28, 1871 at Barry, Texas, and moved to Tarrant county when a small boy. Mr. Crowley was a pioneer in this part of Texas, seeing the first train to ever come to Grand Prairie, and coming to Bazette by foot, driving cattle, when 12 years of age. He has lived in Kerens for 35 years, where he had been in business and public life for a number of years.

He was married to Ella Horn on January 24, 1895, and had eight children, six of whom preceded their father in death. His wife Ella Horn Crowley also preceded him in death.

He is survived by: One son, Elvy Crowley, Grand Prairie; one daughter, Mrs. Marvin Henderson, Kerens, Texas; one sister, Mrs. Mollie Jones, Malakoff; 7 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a number of nieces and nephews.

Notes:


William L. "Wes" Johnson
Aug 19, 1894 - Feb 18, 1982

William L. (Wes) Johnson

William L. (Wes) Johnson, 87, of Corsicana, died Thursday night in Memorial Hospital.

Service is 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Griffin Funeral Home chapel with Maxie Boren officiating. Burial in Dresden Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Irene Johnson, of Corsicana; three sons, George W. Johnson, of Dresden, Thomas E. Johnson and B. W. Johnson, both of Corsicana; three daughters, Cecelia Miller, of Cherokee, Roma Taylor, of Abilene, and Ramona Davis of Corsicana; 28 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, J. V. (Bud) Johnson, of Hillsboro; and two sisters, Lula Southward, of Hillsboro, and Minnie Garner, of Fort Worth.

Grandsons will be pallbearers.

Notes:


Pearl Ann (Stubblefield) Sumner
Jan 19, 1890 - Feb 7, 1988

Pearl Sumner

Pearl Sumner, 98, of Corsicana died Feb. 7, 1988 at Navarro Regional Hospital.

The family is receiving visitors from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Officiating will be Don Elrod. Burial will be at Dresden Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J. H. Sumner, her son Ralph Sumner and a daughter, Ferne McGrath.

Survivors are two sons, H. L. Sumner of Bryan and Jim E. Sumner of Waco; four daughters, Gladys Melton of Trinity, Pauline Swan of Arleta, Calif., Dean Schroeder of Secane, Penn., Jean Texeira of Tyler; 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Notes:


Nora Lee (Griggs) May
July 6, 1925 - Dec 16, 2012

Nora Lee May, 87 of Kerens, passed away Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.

She was born July 6, 1925 in Kerens to Joseph Elkins Griggs and Myrtle Josephine Wright.

Mrs. May was Secretary for both the Kerens Chamber of Commerce and the Kerens Cemetery Association for over 30 years.

She is survived by her four children, Sherry Hamm of Rockwall, Glenda Griffin of College Station, Connie Maxwell of Lewisville and Luke May of Hewitt; two sisters, Mary Sue Phillips of Humble and Doris Chrisman of Kerens; twin brothers, Bill and Jack Griggs both of Kerens; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 at Paschal Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Kerens with Rev. Leslie Byrd and Rev. Kory Koch officiating. Burial to follow in the Kerens Cemetery.

Arrangements by Paschal Funeral Home, Kerens.

Notes:

---

Nora Lee May

Nora Lee May, 87, of Kerens, passed away Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.

She was born July 6, 1925 in Kerens to Joseph Elkins Griggs and Myrtle Josephine Wright.

Mrs. May was Secretary for both the Kerens Chamber of Commerce and the Kerens Cemetery Association for over 30 years.

She is survived by her four children, Sherry Hamm of Rockwall, Glenda Griffin of College Station, Connie Maxwell of Lewisville and Luke May of Hewitt; two sisters, Mary Sue Phillips of Humble and Doris Chrisman of Kerens; twin brothers, Bill and Jack Griggs both of Kerens; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 at Paschal Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 at the First Methodist Church in Kerens with Rev. Leslie Byrd and Rev. Kory Koch officiating. Burial to follow in the Kerens Cemetery.

Notes:


Mary Athria (Marney) Baltzelle
1932 - Dec 12, 2012

Mary Athria Marney Baltzelle, 80, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in Pompano Beach, Fla., of natural causes after surviving cancer three times in 50 years.

Born in Corsicana, Texas in 1932, Mary was a retired educator, who served as language arts curriculum supervisor for Broward County Public Schools. She retired as a secondary school teacher in 1995. Her teaching career spanned three decades, five years in Texas, with adjunct stints at Nova University and Broward Community College, both in South Florida.

Mary authored and edited hundreds of curriculum guides. She was a poet, avid reader, especially of the Bible, and dedicated letter writer.

Mary moved to South Florida with her husband, Conner Baltzelle, of Fort Worth, in the 1950s to open Curtis Mathes TV franchises. They first met at a family gathering in Corsicana, during which Conner told her they would later marry.

They were married 18 years when Conner died in 1970.

Mary's upbringing amid farms and pecan groves carried over into her love of seashores and coconut palms.

Above all, Mary loved God and family, often telling funny stories about herself and loved ones. A favorite was how she regularly went through a drive-through for a slice of pie, or two, at Mother Butler's on U.S. 1 in Fort Lauderdale when she lived in Imperial Point in the mid 1970s.
Once, she parked and went inside. There she overheard staffers laughing while talking about some woman who would go through the drive-through almost daily, buy pieces of pie and start eating one before she even left the parking lot.

Her mother, Annie Marney, was principal of a one-room school house and also one of Texas' first special education teachers. Her father, William Marney, built the family home by hand and ran a Corsicana gas station where he talked to neighbors and gave children candy. An electrician, he once trick wired certain church pews for when the pastor asked those willing to tithe to stand.

She stayed in touch with her best friend since age 3, Ellen Jeanne Adair, up until Mary's last days.

Mary graduated early from high school and received her bachelor of arts, also early, cum laude, from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, on full scholarship. Her master's in English was from Kansas State University. Her educational specialist's degree was from Nova University.

Survivors include her daughter, Diane McWhirter, and her husband, John McWhirter, and grandson, Conner, all of Winter Park, Fla.; son, Jim Baltzelle and his wife, Rebecca Baltzelle, and granddaughters, Katie and Molly of Cooper City, Fla., as well as granddaughter Annie, mother to Mary's two great-granddaughters, Dahlia and Lily of Redding, Calif.

A memorial service, followed by a reception with light refreshments, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 at Plantation United Methodist Church. A service also will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 4, 2013 at John Knox Village in Pompano Beach, where Mary last resided.

Neptune Society of Pompano Beach is handling cremation.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in Mary's memory to the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, 51 Children's Way, Enterprise, Fla. 32725.

Notes:


Dr. Barbara Claire (Mellen) Bohmfalk
Nov 15, 1924 - Dec 9, 2012

Barbara Bohmfalk died in Waynesboro, Va. after a brave battle with Alzheimers.

She was 88.

She was born in El Paso to Romney and Fern Mellen. She graduated from U.T.E.P. where she met Erwin Bohmfalk Jr. When Erwin became an Air Force pilot, Barbara went to California to teach math at U.C.L.A. After World War II, they were married in 1947 by Erwin's father, Dr. Erwin F. Bohmfalk Sr. in El Paso. Dr. Bohmfalk Sr. was then the minister of First Methodist Church in Corsicana.

Erwin and Barbara visited Corsicana every year and made many friends here.

They moved to Boulder, Colo. and received their Ph.D.s in physical chemistry from The University of Colorado. Barbara was the first woman to do so from Colorado University.

They moved to Waynesboro, Va. as research chemists for DuPont. They set up chemistry labs for DuPont in many countries. They were world travelers, going to all the out-of-the-way places most people don’t see.

Barbara was a ballet dancer and avid tennis player. She played three times a week even into her 80s. She was the kindest, sweetest person, always for the “underdog.” She gave her time and money to those that needed both. She, for instance, bought a house, fixed it up, and furnished it for abused women and children.

She is survived by her husband, Erwin; a sister, Eleanor; a niece and grand-niece; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Lang of Corsicana. A beautiful ceremony was held for friends and family where her ashes were scattered around their tennis court that she loved so.

Notes:


Lenora Lee (Montgomery) Smith
Aug 1, 1948 - Dec 17, 2012

Lenora Lee Smith, 64, of Corsicana found peace with the Lord on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012.

Lenora was surrounded by her loving family and friends in the days before her unexpected passing.

A lifelong resident of Navarro County, Lenora was born in Corsicana on Aug. 1, 1948 to Ellis and Alvah “Cookie” Montgomery. She attended Dawson High School and graduated Valedictorian in 1966. Her love of education led her to receive a Bachelor's in Education from Baylor University and a Master's in Education from Sam Houston State University. She then received another Master's in Counseling from Baylor University. A pillar in the education community, Lenora dedicated her life to working with children and young adults, teaching and influencing generations of students. Lenora served for 41 years as a teacher and counselor, primarily with Corsicana ISD. In addition, she was a dedicated member of Northside Baptist Church, and she particularly enjoyed singing in the choir.

Lenora married the love of her life, Glen Smith, on Nov. 26, 1975, and they remained happily married for 37 years. Lenora and Glen were blessed with two daughters, Carrie and Laura, who will forever miss their mother's comforting presence and quiet wisdom.

Lenora was a passionate grandmother to her treasured grandchildren. She showered her grandchildren with love, support, encouragement, countless hours of happiness, comfort, and lots of candy. Calling her “Gammy” and “Mimi,” they were the joy of her life. She was the one the grandchildren cried for when they were sick, hurt or sad. She was a true example of unconditional love.

Her dedication to her family and treasured friends was the foundation of her character, and the countless memories she created with those she loved will be her lasting legacy.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ellis Montgomery.

Lenora is survived by her husband, Glen, and daughters and sons-in-law, Carrie and Brian Phillips of Corsicana, and Laura and Brandon Starr of Dallas; her beloved grandchildren, Braden Herrmann, Brody and Hallie Phillips, Finley and Ellis Starr; mother, Alvah “Cookie” Montgomery; sisters, Monnie Haugh and Kay Yates; nieces, Katie Yates and Traci
Pryor: nephew, Bradley Fife; brothers-in-law and wives, Johnny and Kathy Smith and Ben and Suzanne Smith; nephew, Dr. Jeff Smith; and numerous cousins.

Pallbearers are Greg Bower, Robert Bray, Donnie Denbow, Dave Ralston, Bill Maupin, Jim Wood, and Earl Scarborough.

Honorary pallbearers are her “girls,” Barbara Phillips, Beverly Barnette, Terry Boulware, Lanelle Crawford, Patty Bowen, Teresa Parker, and Barbara LePoris.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at Griffin Roughton Funeral Home.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, at Northside Baptist Church with Dr. Rick Lamb officiating. Interment will follow at Hamilton–Beeman Cemetery in Corsicana.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Northside Baptist Church Building Fund, 2800 North Beaton Street, Corsicana, Texas 75110.

The family would like to express thanks for all the prayers, cards, calls and support during this difficult time.

Arrangements under the direction of Griffin–Roughton Funeral Home, Corsicana.

Notes:


Jimmy Earl Sumner
Aug 10, 1931 - Dec 17, 2012

Private services will be held at a later date for Jimmy Earl Sumner who passed away Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 in Tyler.

He was born Aug. 10, 1931, to parents James Henry and Pearl Ann Sumner of Corsicana.

Jimmy lived in Dawson before moving to Park Place Rehab and Nursing in Tyler, where he made many friends and received excellent care. He served in the Navy during the Korean War aboard the airplane carriers The Valley Forge and the Oriskiny.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bettie; four sisters and two brothers.

Survivors include his sister, Candy Jean Texeira of Tyler; and several nieces and nephews.

Jimmy donated his body to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Notes:


Edward Adolph “Ed” Teetz
Feb 18, 1908 - Mar 22, 1977

Ed Teetz

Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Griffin Funeral Home Chapel for Ed Teetz, 69, of Corsicana, who died last night.

The Rev. Mickey Loftis will officiate with burial following at Prairie Point Cemetery.

Survivors include two sons, Tommy Teetz of LaRue, Texas and Terry Teetz of Corsicana, a daughter, Mrs. Judy Blessin of Clute; a brother, Herman Teetz of Kerens; a sister, Mrs. Alice Fletcher of Kerens, and six grandchildren.

Notes:


Ida Ruth Dean (Frederick) Ellis-Green
Aug 30, 1916 - Mar 29, 1999

Ida Ruth Green

Ida Ruth Green, 82, of Corsicana and formerly of Blooming Grove, passed away Sunday, March 28, 1999, in Corsicana.

Services will be 2 p.m. today at Griffin-Roughton Chapel in Blooming Grove, with Harold Scott officiating. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Earl Ogburn, Wayne Rose, Jim Owens, Danny Lynch, Phillip Story and Michael Talley.

Mrs. Green was born in Blooming Grove on Aug. 31, 1916.

Mrs. Green is survived by her daughters, Billie Waldrip, Naomi Fleming and Marva Jane Doshier, all of Euless; brother and sister-in-law, James and Joyce Frederick of Roane; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home of Blooming Grove.

Notes:


Macon Ray Green
Jun 14, 1920 - Sep 21, 1986

Ray Green

Ray Green, 66, of Blooming Grove, died Monday in the Veterans Hospital in Temple.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove with the Rev. Bruce Cotton officiating. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Ida Ruth Green of Blooming Grove; two brothers, Stanford Green of Lancaster and Buel (Pete) Green of Farmington, N.M.; and four sisters, Opal Ross, Ruth Rasco, Sammie Hollifield and Bonnie Story, all of Blooming Grove.

Pallbearers will be Kenneth Lynch, Danny Lynch, Phillip Story, Gene Story, Jim Frederick and Gerald Tuley.

Notes:


Rufus Stanford Green
Jul 20, 1917 - Aug 12, 1988

Rufus Green

Rufus Green, 71, of Lancaster, died Aug. 12, 1988, at Midway Park Hospital in Lancaster.

Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Lancaster Park Baptist Church. Graveside service will be 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Rosehill Cemetery. Local arrangements are with Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Green, of Lancaster; daughter, Ruth Ann Tuley, of Red Oak; brother, W. B. Green, of New Mexico; four sisters, Opal Ross, Ruth Rasco, Sammie Hollifield and Bonnie Story, all of Blooming Grove; two grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Notes:


Herman Houston Griffin
Dec 14, 1932 - Oct 24, 1992

Herman H. Griffin

Herman Houston Griffin, 59, of Barry, died Oct. 24, 1992, at a Waco hospital.

Graveside services were 10 a.m. Monday in Rosehill Cemetery, with the Rev. Solon Bailey officiating. Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

He was a retired minister of Shady Oak Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas.

Survivors include his wife, Yasuko Griffin of Barry; one son, John Nelson Griffin of Red Oak; and one daughter, Syble Ann Griffin Voveris of Fort Drum, N.Y.

Notes:


Robert Earl Grinstead
Jul 31, 1900 - Apr 19, 1985

Robert Grinstead

Robert E. Grinstead, 84, of Dallas, formerly of Blooming Grove, died Friday night at Medical City Hospital in Dallas.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Rosehill Cemetery under direction of Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home of Blooming Grove. The Rev. Don Elrod will officiate.

Survivors are three sisters, Verda Grinstead, Mildred Grinstead and Merle Gage, all of Dallas.

Notes:


Edward Shannon "Jack" Hammonds, Sr.
Mar 4, 1900 - May 26, 1994

Jack Hammonds

Jack Hammonds, 94, of Corsicana, died May 26, 1994, at Navarro Regional Hospital after a short illness.

Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Rose Hill Cemetery, with the Rev. Marvin Moore and Jimmy Garrison officiating. Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

He was born March 1, 1900 at Lone Cedar. Most of his life was spent as a rancher-stockman in Lake Abilene and Potosi communities. He worked at the Taylor County Courthouse for a number of years.

For the past four years, Mr. and Mrs. Hammonds lived at the island on Lake Travis. In January they moved back to their roots, Corsicana. He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Blooming Grove.

Survivors include his wife, Ellie Bee Hammonds of Corsicana; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Jack Hammonds of Houston and Pat and Nancy Hammonds of El Paso; one daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Guy Allison of Corsicana; one sister, Helen Garrison of Blooming Grove; one grandson, Shannon Hammonds of Austin; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Notes:


David Gene Hanson, Jr.
Feb 19, 1969 - Jul 10, 1986

David Hanson, Jr.

David Gene Hanson, Jr., 17, of Frost, died Thursday.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove, with the Rev. Bruce Cotton, officiating. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery.

Survivors include his parents, Don and Linda Barham of Frost; two brothers, James Gusich and Thomas Pavela of Tennesee Colony; six sisters, Mary Raney of Dallas, Anna Hanson of Chicago, Ill.; Daisy Barham of Blooming Grove; Linda May, Samantha Hanson and Melissa Barham of Frost; a grandmother, Charlotte Eppenstein of Savannah, Ill.; and a number of aunts and uncles.

Pallbearers are Herschel Barham, Thomas Oliphant, Harold Barham, Lance Huffman, Leonard Barham, and Eddy Montgomery.

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Evan Floyd "Pete" Hester
Sep 24, 1910 - Oct 26, 1987

Evan “Pete” Hester

Evan “Pete” Hester, 77, of Corsicana died Monday at Navarro Regional Hospital.

Service is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, with Frank Shirley officiating. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Vera Hester, of Corsicana; two sons, Thomas Hester, of Duncanville, and James Hester, of Farmers Branch; daughter, Laverne Scoggins, of Corsicana; sister, Daisy Johnson, of Waco; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Norman Smith, Leroy Barton, Newton Burke, Alvin Watson, Jimmy Richardson and Earl Richard.

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Florence Ann Marie (Schmidt) Hinkle
Oct 10, 1924 - Jul 17, 1996

Mrs. James Edwyn Hinkle

Mrs. James Edwyn Hinkle, nee Florence Ann “Smitty” Schmidt, died July 17, 1996, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ray Bass in Corsicana.

Graveside services were held Wednesday in Rose Hill Cemetery in Blooming Grove with Chaplain Terry Eyman officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Hospice of Cedar Lake, Main St., Corsicana.

Mrs. Hinkle served as a WAVE in the U. S. Navy from Nov. 2, 1944 to July 3, 1946, achieving the rank of Botswain's Mate Second Class.

For more than 30 years she selflessly gave of her time and energy to the Girls Scouts of America. Some of her fondest memories were helping girls learn to become independent young women. She was active in the Eastern Star and served as president of the Adah's Association, San Diego County Chapter in 1964.

After a long career as a general accountant, she became an enrolled agent licensed by the U. S. Treasury. During much of this time she also co-owned and managed Hinkle's Aviary, raising many types of large and small exotic birds.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, James Edwyn Hinkle; her children, Mrs. Ray (Jamie Sharon Hinkle) Bass of Corsicana, Mrs. Carl (Annette Mary Hinkle) Brines of Tucson, Ariz. and Jan Florian Hinkle of San Marcos, Calif.; her grandchildren, Jay Bass of Corsicana, Mariah and Timothy Hinkle of San Marcos, Calif., Carl Brines 111 of Tucson and Sheila, Tiffany and Shallan Hinkle, all of Enterprise, Utah; and her sister, Mrs. Frank Willard (Marie Caroline Schmidt) Franklin of Bloomington, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Stephen Schmidt and Mary Caroline Gruener Schmidt.

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Jesse Marion Hix
Feb 4, 1901 - Jul 30, 1990

Jesse Hix

Jesse Hix, 89, Blooming Grove, died July 30, 1990, at Garland Memorial Hospial.

Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove with the Rev. Dave Rotner officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery.

He was a member of First Baptist Church and a member of I. O. O. F.

Survivors include his wife, Lila (Henderson) Hix of Blooming Grove; three daughters, Pat Morris of Mesquite, Lavern Powers of Buffalo and Vivian Enlow of Rev. Oak; one sister, Mable Bennett of Liberty; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are J. C. Walter, Terry Morris, Louis Enlow, Eddie Terhune, Donie Hunt and Boyd Bryant.

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Lila (Henderson) Hix
Sep 10, 1906 - Feb 14, 1992

Lila Hix

Lila Hix, 85, of Dallas, died Feb. 14, 1992, at Buckner Nursing Home in Dallas.

Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Blooming Grove, with David Fortner officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.

She was a former resident of Blooming Grove.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Hix, in 1989, and one daughter, Margie Walters, in 1982.

Survivors include three daughters, Pat Morris of Mesquite, Laverne Powers of Buffalo, and Vivian Enlow of Red Oak; four sisters, Lillian Rhodes of Blooming Grove, Vera Harris of Barry, Pearl Rossen of Corsicana, and Mabel Sicking of Munster, Texas; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Terry Morris, Eddy Turbune, Lewis Enlow, David Fleming, Donnie Hunt and Mike Harris.

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Billy Dan Pevehouse
Mar 6, 1935 - Jul 17, 1996

Dan Pevehouse

Dan Pevehouse, 61, of Corsicana, died July 17, 1996, at Park Row Nursing Home.

The family will receive visitors at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. tonight.

Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery, with Rev. B. C. Dugger officiating. Services will be under the direction of Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Mr. Pevehouse was born March 6, 1935, in Fort Worth. He was the son of Rufus and Frances Pevehouse. He served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean Conflict on both the Submarine Rayfish and destroyer DD 827. He was a frogman trained in underwater demolition. He held the Welter Weight Golden Glove U. S. Navy East Coast Title. He was a sports car enthusiast and was certified welder for more than 30 years and a high performance engine builder.

He is survived by his wife, Christina Pevehouse of Corsicana; mother Frances Pevehouse of Corsicana; son Rufus N. Pevehouse of Houston; two step-sons, Walter V. Kidd and Randy L. Kidd; and eight grandchildren.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

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Cynthia A. (Pevehouse) Spivey
Aug 10, 1843 - Aug 28, 1922

VENERABLE LADY PASSED AWAY

Funeral Will Be Held At Dresden Tomorrow Morning

Mrs. Cynthis Spivey, aged 80 years, and for many years a resident of this county, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Travis Holland, in Houston, yesterday afternoon, and the remains will reach here this afternoon at 5:30 and interment will take place in the Dresden cemetery tomorrow morning. The deceased leaves these children; Mrs. Tom Blair, Nacogdoches; Mrs. Travis Holland, Houston; Mrs. Will High and Mrs. J. L. Franks, Blooming Grove; J. W. Spivey, Blooming Grove; and Haskell Spivey, of California. The deceased was an aunt by marriage of Mrs. Will S. Knight and Mrs. R. E. L. Marshall of Corsicana.

The funeral services will be held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. A. High, in Blooming Grove, at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning, conducted by Rev. M. W. Clark, and interment will be in the Dresden cemetery at 10 o’clock.

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Travis Emery Welborn
Sep 21, 1931 - Feb 14, 1992

Travis E. Welborn

Travis Emery Welborn, 70, of Dresden, died Feb. 14, 1992, at Navarro Regional Hospital.

Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Baptist Church of Frost with the Rev. John Howell and the Rev. Charles Barber officiating. Burial will be in Dresden cemetery. Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his mother, Sadie Welborn of Durant, Okla.; his wife, Marie Welborn of Dresden; three sons, Travis Ray Welborn and Larry Dean Welborn, both of Aubrey, and Roy Gene Welborn of Frost; three daughters, Sue Ella Oden of Lubbock, Debra Gale Melin of Denton, and Sharon Marie Stanley of The Colony; five brothers, Ray Welborn, Dewayne Welborn, Larry Welborn and David Welborn all of Durant, Okla., and Gary Welborn of Houston; two sisters, Sandra Sue Mayes of York, Penn., and Joan Ford of Durant, Okla.; 19 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

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